Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Sometimes you need to take a break from blogging and find your muse again. Mine is back and I have lots to share with you. My creative juices got going when Tracey Roman of the Fort Mill Magazine asked me to do an article on how to incorporate the Nautical or Coastal design trend into your home. You may read the article, and see photos of a recent beach cottage that I completed, at the link at http://www.fortmillmagazine.com/this_issue.html#26i. That article was fun to do but space in a magazine is limited and I just couldn't share all the images that I found inspirational there, so I thought I would follow up the written article with a visual one. I hope you enjoy all these wonderful designs from talented designers across the country. Enjoy!

Traditional blue and white with touches of coral gave this home a coastal presence.

This modern seaside worthy room takes on a turquoise color scheme pairing it with bright white and bold art.

The colors, simple plank floor, and chair covers with seashells are all that is needed to create a coastal cottage look.

Soft gray stripes and porthole windows dress down this more sophisticated breakfast nook.

This entry hall takes it "beachy" cue from color and texture. The sisal striped rug and the storage baskets and blue bead board, all lend to the coastal theme of the room. The organizational bulletin boards are a great idea for sorting information for each family member.

Stripes and sea glass colors help this modern design look great at the sea side.

Could this red and white striped cabana-look be any cuter for a kids room at the coast?

Blue and white is a timeless nautical classic.

A touch of driftwood and seashells and you are transported to the shore!

Simple slipcovers, a vintage table, seashell chandelier, and crisp white curtains add to the ambiance without taking away from the fabulous view

Normally less is more when it comes to theme decor, however, here is a case where more is... fabulous!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

A recent request by a client for a Hollywood Glam room, for her teen, finds me having lots of fun. This dramatic, dressy look is characterized by mirrored furniture, bold colors and prints, sleek and shiny finishes, lush fabrics and, of course, some bling! Whenever I start a project like this, I am always inspired by those that have blazed the trail before me. With a big salute to the designers of the following rooms, let's look at some great ideas.

Tufted furniture works with this look because it is all about luxury.

These candle sconces from Z Gallerie are perfect for adding the "bling" factor

Crystal chandelier, fur bench, flokati rug and curving headboard make this work

Bold graphic pattern and fabulous tufted headboard scream GLAM!

Mirrored furniture like this vanity are a staple of this look.

This mirrored bed from Julian Chichester is gorgeous!

This tufted love seat would make a perfect addition to the foot of the bed.

Metallic wall paper in a bold graphic is just the thing for teen glamour.

This is going to be a fun project. I will be sure to share the results with you in a few months, when it is done.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

My mom is a 5 foot nothing powerhouse! If I have any natural design talent it comes from her and I always tell folks ~ you will like me best, until you meet my mother. It is no surprise that when she moved here 18 months ago, I was thrilled. Like anyone scaling down and moving into new digs, mom wanted help in choosing what to keep, what to let go and how to put it all together in a new, open floor plan. We began the process and I quickly realized that my mother has a very "green" approach to design. She loves natural fabrics and textiles, is a big believer in re-using, recycling and re-purposing, and wants her home to be as energy efficient as possible. And so we began. The only room that I had total control over was the dining room. Interestingly enough, it made the cover of Drapery and Design Magazine.

In the foyer, an old chair got re-born when we refinished the wood from dated pickled pine to a distressed chestnut, and, added new Robert Allen fabric. An estate sale table purchased for $25, and given a new finish, sports some high end lamps and a piece of porcelain collected on a trip to Japan. A wool rug and a recycled mirror finish the welcoming entrance.

My mom loves her 25 year old petite love seats. The bones were good, so we covered them in Sunbrella fabric. Light control was an issue so they installed top down, bottom up shades on the windows, which we softened with sheers to keep the room light and airy.

I had nothing to do with the next piece, but it is one of my favorite things in her home. My dad's mother, my grandmother, had an old pie safe that she passed down to my mom. The thing was in terrible condition but my energizer bunny of a mom got right after it! She re-painted it, added some fabric, and it now displays treasures from the past in her guest room. Talk about re-purposing!

A close up shows the wonderful patina of age and an antique ironstone jug, family photo and my grandmother's iron that you held in the fire to use.

Working with my mom was a hoot. We laughed and went down memory lane about a thousand times, but, the thing that made me proud was that, at 80 years young, my amazing mother knows how important it is to use our resources wisely and to stay as green as you can. What would happen to our planet if each of us did just that?

Calgon Take Me Away...

The AIDP Charlotte Chapter Board Members

Seated from left, Davetta Moore, National Board Member, Wanda Horton, Vice President of Communication, Jane Ann Maxwell, President, standing from left to right, Nancy Martin, Vice President of Membership, Mary Santini, Secretary/Treasurer, and Marianne Parker, National Board Member

Emily's New Room

This desk was the inspiration for the room

Decorating for Christmas in Adult and Kid Zones...

Adults will love the beauty of the luxe mantle

This bright, bold mantle is kid friendly

This lovely arrangement is sophisicated and elegant

Kids tables need centerpieces too and these serve as favors to take home afterwards!

The Holiday Table...

This table setting would make a beautiful Thanksgiving breakfast table

Greenery - simple and elegant

These pictures illustrate the idea of using what you love...

One home owner loves classic traditional decore, the other mid century modern. Look at what they created using the things they both loved!!!

Grouping beloved collections create impact

Two collections united by color

Pictures from the Coastal Vibe Project

The chair fabric was designed just for this client and then made into yardage just for these chairs!

The living room seating area. The client wanted it elegant and yet relaxed, with the idea of being at a house on the beach.

We added the built-ins and had the paint changed before the homeowner moved in. A cozy seating arrangement and momentos from world travels warm the space.

another view

These pictures illustrate "staging" principles

This beautiful room was designed to be cozy and full. This room is an example of NOT staging to maximize the square footage. Thanks to House Beautiful for the image

This serene room is designed for maximum spaciousness! Notice that you see lots of floor through the legs of the coffee table. Lots of breathing room in this space. Thanks to House Beautiful for the image.

This is an example of Benjamin Moore Aura paints to go with the About Paint post

One of the many beautiful colors in the Aura collection

Aura paints have low VOC's which means it's healthier for everybody!

To illustrate the post "Art For Your Walls"

The following pictures are artwork from some of my favorite local artists. The fabulous thing about these folks is that they will do commissioned pieces especially for you! Enjoy...

Local Artists...

Richard Anderson

Celia Flock

Sany Seipert, an older work, her newer stuff is better, this was the only image I had...

The following pictures are from the October High Point Furniture Market.

These are some of the showrooms and displays that I thought were terrific.

New color combo that was everywhere, butter and pewter, so pretty, soft and fresh!

Gorgeous Global Views - always my favorite venue

soft butter and pewter

"GREEN" in both color and sustainablity is a beautiful choice...

These pillows made from abaca leaves and coconut beads are eco-friendly and good for the workers of the developing country in which they are made.

Old favorites are still in play...

aqua, teal, peacock are still popular-- note the laquered mirror!

Before and After pictures are always fun!

This is a "before" picture of a recent project.

After #2!

Before #2

same room, different view

AFTER!

new carpet, upholstery, paint, window treatments...

More from the High Point Spring Market My Favorite Overall Venue - Global Views

terrific accessories, uniquely displayed

black, white, red, silver punch!

note the male figures at the bottom of the ropes climbing out of the vases!

Favorite Find at the High Point Spring Market

Pablo Mekis Artisan Pillows

the hand stiching is fabulous!

more Pablo Mekis

A designer is as good as her team...

Every designer relies on a team of people to help execute her design vision. I have worked very hard to assemble a top notch team of craftsmen and professionals to rely on for excellence in execution and customer service. I have nick named them "The "A" Team". This name is so appropriate because this group brings their best effort to each task. There are many folks out there that will give you adequate, we strive for exceptional.

The following pictures will introduce you to some of the work done by these guys...

Introducing...

Marilyn Croteau - the BEST window treatment workroom on the East Coast

Introducing...

Heavin Woodworks - beautiful trims and built-ins

Introducing...

G.Richard Anderson Faux Finisher. He does fabulous work!

Oeco Textiles

all natural and all green

A staged breakfast room

We recovered the chairs to co-ordinate with the area rug and added a fresh bunch of flower from the grocery store!

This week...

This week, I am working on two interiors that are either on or are near Lake Wylie, SC. Both homeowners are interested in incorporating a coastal "vibe" into the design for their homes. Working on two homes with the same design direction has never happened in my business before. It will be fun to see just how differently we approach each home. They will be as different and unique as their homeowners and we will be sure to include some after pictures in about 3 or 4 months!

Something's Gotta Give

from the movie "Something's Gotta Give" the set design for the Nantucket living room is inspiration for a coastal interior that I'm working on right now...

Coastal Inspiration

another coastal inspiration

this rug from Aspen Carpet Designs is very close to the one in the movie!

Go to the Maxwell House of Design Website

Welcome to Maxwell House of Design

It is exciting to live in a time where we can share our personal thoughts with the world, at the push of a button!
My name is Jane Ann Maxwell and I am an interior designer in the small town of Fort Mill, South Carolina just across the state line from Charlotte, NC.

My design philosophy is very simple. The design of a home must reflect the client, not the designer. I am convinced that each person has a unique sense of what pleases them and makes them feel comfortable. It is, as I see it, the designer's job to ferret out what the homeowner will enjoy and then implement a plan to achieve just that. It is not the job of the designer to impose her will on the client. It should be a colaborative effort that ultimately makes the client feel more at home than before the process began. I feel that my job is done, not when visitor's say"oh, you must have had Maxwell House of Design do your room" but when they say " this home looks just like you!"

My personal taste is eclectic. I find inspiration in all kinds of places and in all kinds of ways. This blog will be a way to share inspiration, ideas, and wonderful resources that I have been privledged to discover!